Definition and Concept
Reform, in a biblical context, refers to the process of making changes to something in order to improve it, often by returning to a previous state of purity or righteousness. This concept is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, where reform is frequently associated with spiritual renewal, repentance, and a return to God's commandments.

Old Testament Examples
The Old Testament provides several notable examples of reform, particularly during the reigns of certain kings of Judah who sought to restore the worship of Yahweh and eliminate idolatry. One of the most significant reformers was King Josiah. In 2 Kings 22-23, Josiah is described as a king who "did what was right in the eyes of the LORD" (2 Kings 22:2). Upon discovering the Book of the Law in the temple, Josiah initiated a series of reforms, including the removal of pagan altars and the reinstitution of the Passover (2 Kings 23:21-23).

Another example is King Hezekiah, who also enacted religious reforms. Hezekiah "trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel" and "held fast to the LORD" (2 Kings 18:5-6). His reforms included the destruction of high places, sacred stones, and Asherah poles, as well as the restoration of temple worship (2 Kings 18:4).

Prophetic Calls for Reform
The prophets of Israel frequently called for reform, urging the people to return to God and abandon their sinful ways. The prophet Isaiah, for instance, called the people to "cease to do evil, learn to do good" (Isaiah 1:16-17). Similarly, the prophet Jeremiah admonished the people to "amend your ways and your deeds" (Jeremiah 7:3), emphasizing the need for genuine repentance and a return to covenant faithfulness.

New Testament Perspective
In the New Testament, the concept of reform is closely linked to the message of repentance and the coming of the Kingdom of God. John the Baptist's ministry was characterized by a call to repentance, preparing the way for Jesus Christ (Matthew 3:1-2). Jesus Himself preached a message of repentance, urging people to "repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near" (Matthew 4:17).

The apostolic teachings also emphasize the transformative power of the Gospel, calling believers to a life of holiness and obedience. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often exhorts Christians to "put off your former way of life" and "be renewed in the spirit of your minds" (Ephesians 4:22-23).

Theological Significance
Reform in the biblical sense is not merely about external changes but involves a profound internal transformation. It is a return to God's original design and purpose for humanity, characterized by a renewed relationship with Him. This transformation is made possible through the work of the Holy Spirit, who empowers believers to live according to God's will.

Conclusion
While the Bible does not use the term "reform" explicitly, the concept is woven throughout its narrative, highlighting the ongoing need for God's people to align themselves with His righteous standards. Through repentance and faith, believers are called to participate in God's redemptive work, reflecting His holiness in their lives and communities.1. (v. t.) To put into a new and improved form or condition; to restore to a former good state, or bring from bad to good; to change from worse to better; to amend; to correct; as, to reform a profligate man; to reform corrupt manners or morals.

2. (v. i.) To return to a good state; to amend or correct one's own character or habits; as, a man of settled habits of vice will seldom reform.

3. (n.) Amendment of what is defective, vicious, corrupt, or depraved; reformation; as, reform of elections; reform of government.

REFORM

re-form' (yacar): The word in the Revised Version (British and American) is found only in Leviticus 26:23, in the phrase "ye will not be reformed." The meaning is, "to be instructed," or, more fully, "to let one's self be chastened," i.e. by God's discipline to learn the lessons of this chastening.

The Hebrew word is the same in a similar connection in Jeremiah 6:8, where it is rendered, "Be thou instructed," and in Jeremiah 31:18, "I was chastised." Psalm 2:10 ("instructed"); Proverbs 29:19 ("corrected") use the Hebrew term of admonition by the words of man.

The King James Version also has "reform" in 2 Esdras 8:12; The Wisdom of Solomon 9:18.

2735. katorthoma -- very worthy deed, public reform
... very worthy deed, public reform. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration:
katorthoma Phonetic Spelling: (kat-or'-tho-mah) Short Definition: anything ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2735.htm - 6k

1357a. diorthoma -- a correction, a reform
... 1357, 1357a. diorthoma. 1357b . a correction, a reform. Transliteration:
diorthoma Short Definition: reforms. Word Origin from diorthoo ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1357a.htm - 5k

1357. diorthosis -- a correction, a reform
... a correction, a reform. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: diorthosis
Phonetic Spelling: (dee-or'-tho-sis) Short Definition: improvement ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1357.htm - 6k

365. ananeoo -- to renew
... renew. From ana and a derivative of neos; to renovate, ie Reform -- renew. see GREEK
ana. see GREEK neos. (ananeousthai) -- 1 Occurrence. 364, 365. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/365.htm - 7k

3256. yasar -- to discipline, chasten, admonish
... bind, chasten, chastise, correct, instruct, punish, reform, reprove,. A primitive
root; to chastise, literally (with blows) or figuratively ...
/hebrew/3256.htm - 6k

3190. yatab -- to be good, well, glad, or pleasing
... 1), merry (3), pleasant (1), please (1), please the better (1), pleased (2), pleased*
(9), pleases* (1), pleasing (2), prosper (4), reform (1), seemed good (2 ...
/hebrew/3190.htm - 7k

Reform
... Reform. A Sermon (No.238). Delivered on Sabbath Morning, February 13th, 1859, by
the. REV. CH SPURGEON. At the Music Hall, Royal Surrey Gardens. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/reform.htm

A Work of Reform.
... 26. A WORK OF REFORM. [Illustration: Chapter header.] The work of Sabbath
reform to be accomplished in the last days is foretold ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /26 a work of reform.htm

Jehoshaphat's Reform
... THE SECOND BOOK OF CHRONICLES JEHOSHAPHAT'S REFORM. 'And Jehoshaphat his
son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/jehoshaphats reform.htm

The Beginnings of Church Reform
... The Church and the Empire CHAPTER I THE BEGINNINGS OF CHURCH REFORM. Previous
to the ... of landowners. [Sidenote: Church reform.]. Thus ...
/.../medley/the church and the empire/chapter i the beginnings of.htm

Progress of Reform in Germany.
... 10. PROGRESS OF REFORM IN GERMANY. ... In the work of reform, Luther had been urged forward
by the Spirit of God, and had been carried beyond himself. ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /10 progress of reform in.htm

A Work of Reform
... Chapter 26 A Work of Reform. The work of Sabbath reform to be accomplished
in the last days is foretold in the prophecy of Isaiah ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 26 a work of.htm

Progress of Reform in Germany
... Chapter 10 Progress of Reform in Germany. ... In the work of reform, Luther had been
urged forward by the Spirit of God, and had been carried beyond himself. ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 10 progress of reform.htm

The Anglican Reform
... CHAPTER I. THE ANGLICAN REFORM. The Pre-Reformation Service-book. ... [25] But there
was one fatal obstacle to any real reform. Impediments to all real reform. ...
/.../luckock/studies in the book of common prayer/chapter i the anglican reform.htm

Geological Reform.
... XI. GEOLOGICAL REFORM. "A great reform in geological speculation seems
now to have become necessary." "It is quite certain that ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/xi geological reform.htm

Evidences of Regeneration.
... 7. Saints are interested in, and sympathize with, every effort to reform mankind,
and promote the interests of truth and righteousness in the earth. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxx evidences of regeneration.htm

Reform (28 Occurrences)
... or condition; to restore to a former good state, or bring from bad to good; to change
from worse to better; to amend; to correct; as, to reform a profligate man ...
/r/reform.htm - 16k

Reclaim (1 Occurrence)
... 6. (vt) To call back to rectitude from moral wandering or transgression; to
draw back to correct deportment or course of life; to reform. ...
/r/reclaim.htm - 8k

Josiah (51 Occurrences)
... TRAITS OF HIS REIGN 1. Situation at the Beginning 2. Finding of the Law 3. The Great
Reform 4. Disaster at Megiddo The name given 6 years before the death of ...
/j/josiah.htm - 42k

Reformation (24 Occurrences)
... Acts 26:20 but to those in Damascus first, and to those in Jerusalem, to all the
region also of Judea, and to the nations, I was preaching to reform, and to ...
/r/reformation.htm - 14k

Zephaniah (11 Occurrences)
... The latter's reign falls naturally into two parts, separated by the great reform
of 621. ... When Zephaniah preached, this reform was still in the future. ...
/z/zephaniah.htm - 32k

Lips (199 Occurrences)
... not of meaningless dumb ritual, but of "words"-hymns and prayers, expressive of
real gratitude and of actual needs-or perhaps pledges of repentance and reform. ...
/l/lips.htm - 37k

Lamp-stand (17 Occurrences)
... Revelation 2:5 remember, then, whence thou hast fallen, and reform, and the first
works do; and if not, I come to thee quickly, and will remove thy lamp-stand ...
/l/lamp-stand.htm - 11k

Whoredom (58 Occurrences)
... YLT). Revelation 2:21 and I did give to her a time that she might reform
from her whoredom, and she did not reform; (YLT). Revelation ...
/w/whoredom.htm - 24k

Calves (34 Occurrences)
... not of meaningless dumb ritual, but of "words"-hymns and prayers, expressive of
real gratitude and of actual needs-or perhaps pledges of repentance and reform. ...
/c/calves.htm - 19k

Refused (89 Occurrences)
... 9 and men were scorched with great heat, and they did speak evil of the name of
God, who hath authority over these plagues, and they did not reform -- to give ...
/r/refused.htm - 33k

What is Reform Judaism? | GotQuestions.org

What are the different sects of Judaism? | GotQuestions.org

What is Conservative Judaism? | GotQuestions.org

Reform: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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